Saliva Control P3

P3
Saliva Control
This information has been compiled to assist professionals working with
people affected by motor neurone disease (MND) and represents suggestions
only. It should not replace individual assessment for treatment.
Although a normal amount of saliva is produced, around two to three pints
every day, excessive saliva is a commonly reported symptom of MND. People
who have MND may have weak muscles around the mouth, tongue and
throat, which compromise the management of saliva, both in the mouth and
during the swallowing mechanism, making it difficult to swallow.
Some people find they have copious amounts of thin watery saliva, which can
cause drooling. This is known as sialorrhea, which can be especially
troublesome if lip closure is poor.
Others complain more of phlegm or thickened mucus in the mouth and throat,
which is difficult to swallow, or in the airways which is difficult to cough up due
to weakened respiratory muscles and an ineffective cough.
A speech and language therapist can help to identify any problems that may
be present. These may include poor lip seal and/or weakness in oral and
facial muscles or the tongue, which can all contribute to problems with saliva
management.
The speech and language therapist can also advise on different swallowing
techniques which may make swallowing easier.
In some cases improving posture may help to control the flow of saliva. A
drooping posture can cause the head to tilt forward enabling the saliva to flow
through the lips. A physiotherapist can give advice on posture problems as
well as head supports. Ask the GP or consultant for a referral.
The physiotherapist can also give advice on cough management techniques
which may help to cough up thick tenacious saliva.
Medication
The GP may be able to prescribe a medication to ‘dry’ up or reduce watery
saliva. If mucus is the problem, other medication may be more appropriate.
However, medication to dry watery saliva can lead to thick tenacious saliva.
Note: Always consult a doctor before taking any medication as there may be
contra-indications.
Note: before putting any medication through the PEG check with the
pharmacist that it won’t harden and clog the tube.
Excessive watery saliva
Some relief for this condition can be given with the following:
Please note: for drug dosages please refer to the British National Formulary
(BNF).
Medication
Application
Atropine
eye drops
May cause
confusion in the
elderly
tablets
Hyoscine
Kwells
May cause
confusion in the
elderly
subcutaneous or
intramuscular
Comments
sublingually (unlicensed for oral
intake)
sulphate suspension
orally or sublingually
Hyoscine
Hydrobromide
injections or oral
Hyoscine
Butylbromide
‘Buscopan’
Syringe driver, tablets, oral or
subcutaneous infusion
nebulized
or use saline
tablets
Scopoderm patches
try cutting the patch to reduce
size if an over-drying effect is
experienced. Moving the patch
from behind the ear to the upper
arm or torso is another option,
partiularly if an allergic reaction
occurs behind the ear
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Transcop patches
Glycopyrronium
Bromide
(Glycopyrrolate)
unlicensed drug
subcutaneous or
syringe driver
orally or via a PEG in
an unpreserved
suggested solution
(watch for
constipation)
Tricyclic
antidepressents
Amitriptyline as
tablets or oral
solution
side effect – dries mouth
Antihypertensive Clonidine as
medication
injectable solution,
tablets or patches.
Can also be
administered via a
PEG
The following natural products may also assist with excessive watery saliva:
•
sage (capsules, tea or tincture)
•
dark grape juice
Or try these additional suggestions:
•
alter the person’s position to make it easier for them to swallow
•
consider a collar to support the head (see physiotherapist).
Thick tenacious mucus/saliva
Dehydration, mouth breathing and evaporation of saliva can cause thick
mucus to build up in the mouth and at the back of the throat. This may
produce stringy mucus and cause airways to become blocked, which can be
very distressing. It may be more troublesome after meal times.
Some relief for this condition could also be given with the following:
Please note: for drug dosages please refer to the British National Formulary
(BNF).
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Medication
Application
Comments
Beta blockers
Propranolol and
metoprolol
in tablet form (there is limited
evidence that beta blockers may
reduce secretions)
Mucolytics
Carbocisteine ‘mucodyne’
as capsules or oral liquid
These break
down protein in
mucoid secretions Bromelaine
Papain tablets or
Papaya plus (or
papaya fruit)
non-NHS
non-prescription, from health
food stores
From health food stores. Take all
papaya derived treatments at
time of day when mucus is most
troublesome. An enzyme in
papaya helps to break down the
protein in tenacious saliva,
helping to lift it from the mouth.
Wipe around mouth to dilute
saliva or drink the juice.
The following may also assist with thick tenacious mucus/saliva:
•
rehydration – increase fluid intake, eg with jelly/ices
• reduce intake of dairy products
• reduce alcohol/caffeine
• do not use alcohol based mouthwashes (try 1 tsp salt/1tsp baking
soda/4 cups of warm water as an alternative).
The following natural products are easily available and can help:
• butter – a small amount in the mouth loosens adhering mucus
• pineapple juice, papaya juice or other citrus juice before/with a meal
(contains proteolytic enzyme ie Bromelaine, which helps to break
down the protein in mucus)
• suck sugar free citrus lozenges to encourage saliva production (if safe
to do so).
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Suction Pump
A suction pump can help to remove mucus or food particles in the mouth or
trapped at the back of the throat.
If suction pumps cannot be obtained via the GP or district nurse, they can be
loaned from the MND Association. Ask the GP or district nurse to contact
Equipment Loan on 01604 611802 (note: instruction for use will provided by
a nurse or physiotherapist).
Dry Mouth
Preparations such as Oralbalance saliva replacement gel and Bioxtra gel or
spray can help to relieve dry mouth. These also help to inhibit odour causing
bacteria. Swab around the mouth before meals or at bedtime.
Increase fluid intake orally or through the PEG.
Steam Inhalation/humidification/nebulisers
Decreases viscosity of mucus and can help to loosen secretions.
Relief of secretions
With an ineffective cough, the following may help to remove secretions and
reduce the occurrence of respiratory infections:
•
•
•
•
a manually assisted cough
the use of an ambubag
breath stacking
the use of a ‘cough assist’ machine
These therapies need to be taught by a physiotherapist. Assessment is
available through a respiratory consultant.
Botulinum toxin (Botox)
Botulinum toxin is a nerve toxin which can be injected into the submandibular
salivary or parotid glands to control sialorrhoea (drooling). Studies have
shown that intraglandular application may significantly decrease saliva
production. It works by interrupting the messages from the nerves to the
glands telling them to secrete. Effects from a single dose can last up to three
months. It can cause side effects such as swallowing problems, but is
considered relatively safe.
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Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is the use of X-rays to destroy part of the salivary glands. The
effect can be temporary or permanent depending on the amount of X-rays
used. Neppelberg et al (2007) found that single-dose radiotherapy
significantly reduced sialorrhea and is an effective and safe palliative
treatment in patients with ALS.
Saliva reduction studies
A list of saliva reduction studies can be found on the MND Association’s
website, (see the end of this sheet for contact details).
Reference List
Lucas V et al (1998) Use of enteral glycopyrrolate in the management of
drooling. Palliat. Med. May:12(3):207-8
Blasco PA and Stansbury JCK (1996) Glycopyrrolate treatment of chronic
drooling. Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 150:932-935
Newall Anthony R. et al (1996) The control of oral secretions in bulbar
ALS/MND. Journal of the Neurological Sciences (Canada), supplement to
Vol 139, (pilot study, 75% success rate on 16 pts.)
Zalin H, Cooney TC (1974) Chorda tympani neurectomy - a new approach to
submandibular salivary obstruction. Br J Surg 61:391-394.
Geiss R, et al (1999) Injections of botulinum toxin A into the salivary glands
improve sialorrhoea in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurol. Neurosurg
Psychiatry 2000; 69;121-123
Shetty S, et al (2006) Botulinum toxin type-A (Botox A) Injections for
treatment of sialorrhoea in adults: a New Zealand study. Journal of the New
Zealand Medical Association Vol 119 No 1240
Further Reading
Talmi Y P et al (1989) Reduction of salivary flow in Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis with Scopoderm TTS. Head Neck. Nov-Dec: VII (6).
Pinto Pereiro LM Dr (1996) Atropine: Practical Procedures: The University of
the West Indies Issue 6 (1996) Article 5
British National Formulary (BNF) British Medical Association. Royal
Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Postma AG, Heesters M, van Laar T. Radiotherapy to the salivary glands as
treatment of sialorrhea in patients with parkinsonism. MOV Discord. 2007;
22:2430-2435
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to Jo Joyce, clinical nurse specialist, LOROS/Leicester General
Hospital for her valuable contributions to this sheet.
We welcome your views
The MND Association encourages feedback about any aspect of the
information we produce. Your feedback is really important to us, as it enables
us to produce even more useful information for the benefit of people living
with MND and those who care for them.
There are a variety of ways you can get involved. To find out more about how
you can help shape our information development in the future, please contact
us by email: [email protected]
Alternatively, write to Information Feedback at:
MND Association, PO Box 246, Northampton NN1 2PR
Further information
If you have any questions about the information on this sheet, please contact
the MND Connect team.
MND Connect offers advice, practical and emotional support and signposting
to other services and agencies. The service is for people living with MND,
carers, family members, health and social care professionals and MND
Association staff and volunteers who directly support people with MND.
Downloads of all our information sheets and most of our publications are
available from our website. You can also order our publications direct from
the MND Connect team, who will also be able to advise on individual needs:
MND Connect
MND Association, PO Box 246, Northampton NN1 2PR
Telephone: 08457 626262 (people living with MND, their families and carers)
Telephone: 01604 611870 (health and social care professionals)
Fax: (01604) 638289
Email: [email protected]
MND Association website and online forum
Website: www.mndassociation.org
Online forum: http://forum.mndassociation.org/ or through the website
Last revised: 11/10
Next review: 11/12
Version: 4.0
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